Brazil approves cannabis for animal production
The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) recently approved the regulation and use of cannabis-based products in production animals.
With this decision, the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) is now able to regulate these products for veterinary use, allowing qualified veterinarians to prescribe specific cannabis medications and products. This approval marks an advancement in therapeutic solutions for pigs, poultry, and other animals, aiming to improve animal welfare and productivity in the agricultural sector.
This progress results from a long-standing request from the Federal Council of Veterinary Medicine (CFMV) and Mapa, both of which see the potential of cannabinoids to enhance animal health in various ways. Until now, cannabis-derived products have been used in humans, but their use in production animals was unregulated.
Therapeutic alternative
With this new measure, veterinarians will be able to use cannabis-based products as a therapeutic alternative for pain management, inflammation, and other conditions that impact animal development and productive yield.
Beneficial effects
Cannabis sativa, particularly in rich cannabidiol (CBD) formulations, has shown a range of beneficial effects in recent studies with production animals. Among the most notable benefits are its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which can reduce the suffering of animals in situations of stress or physical discomfort, such as in castration procedures or post-surgical treatments. This also contributes to promoting more humane and responsible management practices.
Antimicrobial action
Another aspect of interest in the application of cannabis in production animals is the antimicrobial action of certain cannabinoids which are effective against common pathogens in intensive farming environments, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
In a context where bacterial resistance has become an increasing concern, introducing alternative therapies like cannabinoids offers a valuable tool for combating infections without resorting to broad-spectrum antibiotics.
More appetite and feed conversion
Cannabinoids also affect animal metabolism. In pigs, for example, CBD has demonstrated the potential to improve appetite and feed conversion, increasing productive efficiency. This can positively impact production, resulting in weight gain and improved meat quality. Controlled administration of cannabinoids in animals also shows potential benefits on behaviour and welfare.
Calming effects
Studies indicate CBD can reduce stress in pigs, promoting a calmer environment in rearing facilities, which benefits both animal welfare and productive performance. This calming effect of cannabinoids may be especially useful in confinement situations or during intensive handling periods, such as transportation.
Adverse effects
However, like any treatment, the use of cannabis-based products requires strict control over dosage. In cases of an overdose, cannabis can lead to adverse effects, such as behavioural changes and respiratory problems.
Interaction with other medications is also a concern, as it may amplify unwanted side effects. This demands that veterinarians carefully assess the overall health of the animal before initiating cannabis treatment.
Human food safety
This Anvisa measure also has implications for , as natural and less aggressive products in animal treatment may result in healthier end products with fewer residues from traditional medications.
It is likely the animal production sector will develop new standards for managing and utilising cannabinoids, investing in research that brings more safety and effectiveness to the veterinary use of this ancient plant.
Join 18,000+ subscribers
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated about all the need-to-know content in the pigsector, three times a week.
